HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

PROVERBS 2

CHAPTER II.

Ver. 1. If. This proves free will. To become truly wise, we must desire it with the same avidity as a miser seeks for riches. W. --- We must also pray, (v. 3.) with humility (v. 2.) to God, the giver of wisdom. v. 6. Every science which has not Him for the beginning and end, is vain and dangerous. C.

Ver. 7. Salvation. Prot. "sound wisdom." Tushiya (H.) often occurs in this book, and is very comprehensive, (C.) denoting the substance (H.) of goodness, virtue, &c. Job v. 12.

Ver. 8. Justice. In his servants. C. --- God gives them grace to follow virtue, (H.) and protects them from every danger. C.

Ver. 12. Things. The danger of such company for young people is very great, as the heart is misled by the understanding, (C.) if it do not itself shew the way to error. H. --- We all possess a fund of corruption. C.

Ver. 14. Evil. These signs prove whom we ought to shun. S. Aug. depicts his own conduct before his conversion in the darkest colours. C.

Ver. 16. Strange. Idolatress, (Grot.) or rather the abandoned woman, whether married or not. C. --- This description, as well as the former, guards us against heretics, who leave the right way of the Catholic Church, (v. 13.) and devise perverse doctrines of rebellion against princes, &c. as if faith alone were sufficient. By this faith, Prot. do not mean any article which all must believe, but only that each one must be convinced that he himself is just, and will be saved. Like the strange woman, they preach a comfortable doctrine, and use sweet speeches. Rom. xvi. 18. Their conversion is a very difficult matter, (v. 19.) because they are condemned by their own judgment, (Tit. iii. 11.) and will not admit of the ordinary means of instruction in the Church. W.

Ver. 17. Youth. Her husband, whom she married young when love is more lasting. This increases her guilt. It may also signify her father, or preceptor.

Ver. 18. God. The law forbids adultery, and all impurities. Deut. xxiii. 17. Lev. xx. 10. Both the parties, guilty of adultery, were punished with death. C.

Ver. 19. Life. A sincere conversion is so rare among people once addicted to impurity, (H.) which resembles a deep pit. C. --- This illness is hardly removed. M.

Ver. 21. Earth. Happily. This was the wish of the carnal Jews. But the more enlightened raise their thoughts to heaven.